Planned robbery at the Padmanabhaswamy temple?

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 12: The Padmanabhaswamy temple has been the cynosure of all eyes following the millions that were recovered from the underground stone cellars estimated to be worth Rs 1 lakh crore. With the state government stepping up security and putting in place a three-tier security arrangement complete with commandos and the like, there has been a planned robbery attempt taking place.

Reports have emerged that women snatchers have ridiculed the whole security system in the temple on the face by doing away with gold ornaments from unassuming devotees to the tune of 11 sovereigns. In spite of the massive security cordon after the temple being elevated to the richest temple in the country and the thousands who are thronging the temple after the latest find, the news of the theft could come as a dampener to the temple's fame.

The chain-snatchers work deftly among women devotees in both within the temple and those standing in the serpentine queues waiting for darshan. In spite of the security wall provided by armed state police, there are also security personnel in mufti who wear traditional attire to avoid getting attention. The police are washing their hands of the blame claiming that it might be the absence of enough women police that is leading to such incidents.